The Effect of Combined Exercise Training with Zataria Multiflora on RBP- 4 and Resistin Levels in Sedentary Women: a Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial

Exercise training and zataria multiflora exert anti-inflammatory effects alone and together; these anti-inflammatory effects are partly related to modulating adipokines secretion from adipose tissue. This research aimed to investigate the effect of combined training (aerobic-resistance) and zataria multiflora supplementation on serum resistin and retinol binding protein 4 (RBP-4) in sedentary women.

The present randomized clinical trial, under the registration number IRCT20200812048388N1, was conducted in the winter and spring of 2021. The participants included 40 overweight and obese women who were assigned in four groups (10 women in each group), namely combined training with zataria multiflora (TZ), combined training (T), zataria multiflora (Z), and placebo (C) groups. Each combined training session consisted of 30 min of aerobic exercise, followed by 30 min of resistance exercise. Zataria multiflora supplement was also consumed at 500 mg daily. We carried out blood sampling before and after (48 hours after the last training session) the intervention period and measured the serum levels of RBP-4 and resistin via ELISA method. For data analysis, the SPSS software version 24, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used.

We observed a significant decrease in RBP-4 levels of T compared to that of C group (P=0.045), and in TZ compared to C and Z groups (p <0.001). In addition, the obtained findings indicated a significant decrease in resistin of T compared to that of C group (P=0.046), and in TZ group compared to C and Z groups (p <0.001). In addition, there was a significant decrease in HOMA-IR of T and TZ groups compared to that of C and Z groups (p <0.05).

According to the results, Zataria multiflora supplementation amplified the anti-inflammatory properties of combined training and combined training effect in insulin resistance improvement. Furthermore, it was found to have a synergistic effect along with combined training.